tinik
tínik with stress marks
thorn; fishbone; talented person (colloq)
Usage Note
Tinik most commonly means a thorn on a plant or a fishbone — both hazards one might get stuck in the skin or throat. In colloquial usage, calling someone a tinik is a compliment meaning they are exceptionally sharp or skilled, similar to saying someone is a 'standout'. The folk game Luksong Tinik (jumping over thorns) also takes its name from this word.
Examples
" May tinik sa daliri ko. "
Natural Translation
There is a thorn in my finger.
Literal Translation
Has thorn in finger my.
" May tinik ang isda na kinain ko. "
Natural Translation
The fish I ate has a fishbone.
Literal Translation
Has fishbone the fish that ate I.
" Mag-ingat ka sa pagkain ng isda dahil baka may tinik na maipit sa iyong lalamunan. "
Natural Translation
Be careful when eating fish because a fishbone might get stuck in your throat.
Literal Translation
Careful you in eating of fish because maybe has fishbone that stuck in your throat.
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